Artisan March Showcase - Friends Are Like Seashells

When I saw that my Artisan project for March was the Sand and Sea Suite I felt a slight moment of panic. This suite has not only been available for three months already, but it's also been super duper popular. I just kept wondering how do I make something original from a well loved bundle and so I decided to go in a completely different direction:

Now, I know rainbows aren't the first thing you think of when you look at the Sand and Sea suite but stick with me. The ocean is actually full of colours and rainbows from the corals, to the fish, to the reefs. So really, rainbows actually makes heaps of sense... to me anyway lol.

 

My first card was a simple, skinny card with white heat embossed stamped images, that I then added watercolour too. I kept this pretty straight forward and using my (limited) knowledge of the colour wheel, to choose which colours to pair together. I think by adding the black sentiment really makes the card pop too.

Now for this next card, I thought I would carry on with the rainbow theme, (as I had all the inks out on my desk anyway!) but this time I created a full colour watercoloured wash background. I did this by adding ink to a piece of window sheet and then misting the whole sheet with water. I also misted a piece of watercolour paper and then put the two pieces together. After a bit of squishing, the colours blended together to create this awesome background.

Once it was dry, I ran the watercolour paper through the Cut and Emboss machine using the Seashells embossing folder. I also added a spritz of Frost shimmer paint, which also helped the inks blend together.

 

And so for my last card, I decided I wanted to create a card that made the gorgeous Sand & Sea designer series paper shine. This design is an oldie but a goodie and is perfect to use up left over piece of pattern paper.

To make sure it tied in with the other two cards, I once again added a black sentiment and white embossed shells.

I hope you've enjoyed my creations this month and please make sure you pop over to the Stampin' Up! Facebook page so you can check out all of the other creations from this awesome team.

Happy Crafting,

Chlo

Social Stamping Blog Hop - Rainbows

Hi guys, happy Saturday to you all. Today I've taken part in a blog hop that my gorgeous crafty friend Kelly Kent has set up. The amazing Kelly thought that in our current crisis, the world could do with more happiness and sunshine and so Kelly set up the Social Stamping blog hop. It's such a fun way to connect with other crafters and to keep us all stamping together.

This weeks theme is Rainbows, which of course is simply the best theme. After all, what could be more beautiful then a rainbow.

My card is actually a CASE of one that I saw Emma Goddard (The Coastal Crafter) create last week. Emma created her butterflies in a slightly different way then I did, but her card was so perfect, how can you improve on perfection. Make sure you check out Emma's card HERE.

I really do think this might be one of my favourite rainbows cards I've created. I just love the little butterfly stamp from the Positive Thoughts set and the black just pops against the water colour rainbow wash.

I actually made two backgrounds. The first was what I stamped my butterflies on and then cut them out
. The second is the background I used as my card front. I tried to keep the two backgrounds similar so that I could line the butterflies up against their coordinating colours.

So where to go from here. Well you can click on the NEXT graphic and it will take you over to the next crafter on the hop, or if you would like to start from the beginning  and see who else it taking part, then click HERE and it will take you over to Kelly's amazing creation and the master list.

Thank you for stopping by and I really do hop you have a wonderful and crafty weekend.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo  

Product List 
 

Positive Thoughts Cling Stamp Set [151490]	Peaceful Moments Cling Stamp Set (English) [151595]	Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper [149612]	Basic Black A4 Card Stock [121688]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]
Petal Pink Classic Stampin' Pad [147108]	Mango Melody Classic Stampin' Pad [147093]	Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad [147050]	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad [147051]	Highland Heather Classic Stampin' Pad [147103]
Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [147096]	Pretty Peacock Classic Stampin’ Pad [150083]	Versamark Pad [102283]	White Stampin' Emboss Powder [109132]	Heat Tool [129056]

Team Recognition - Modern Heart

A new month is always so much fun for me. It's the time when I get to look through the past months numbers and charts and recognize some of my team members who have worked super hard and have hit a few milestones in their Stampin' Up! business.

I love spoiling my team, and today's card is no exception. This card was made a a few months ago, but I didn't want to share it until I knew the recipient had received it and then... well I forgot all about it.

This team mate had hit a title promotion and along with this card, I sent her a gift of Bronze (Or in my case Copper) coloured products to recognize her promotion to Bronze Elite. Think Copper embossing powder, Copper foil cardstock and Copper trim.  Fun have!

It's always surprising how cards evolve sometimes. This was actually a mistake card to start of with believe it or not and was destined for the bin. But after coming back to it again a few hours later I had an idea and saved it.

Have to say I'm really happy with the end result. Plus I have loved the Modern Heart stamp set, which was designed by  Million Dollar Achiever Steffi Helmschrott, since I first saw it in the catalogue and it's been paitently waiting for me to have a play with it.

Are you wondering how I made the background? Well wonder no more. It's a technique that I call Watercolour Smooshing and it's so simple. You added a few drops of ink to a piece of clear window sheet. Add some water  and then place it, ink/water down onto your watercolour paper and smoosh all the ink around. Voila!

Well, I hope you've enjoyed today's card. Please come back and visit my little piece of craft heaven again and don't forget, all the products I've used today can be purchased from my online store.

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Product List 
 

Modern Heart Cling Stamp Set [149328]	Gorgeous Grape Classic Stampin' Pad [147099]	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [147110]	Fluid 100 Watercolor Paper [149612]	Blackberry Bliss A4 Cardstock [133682]
Rhinestone Basic Jewels [144220]	Versamark Pad [102283]	Black Stampin' Emboss Powder [146956]

Watercolours in Cornwall - By the Bay Sale-a-Bration

I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks the By the Bay stamp set reminds them of the houses and coastlines on the Cornish coast in the England. It brings to mind, long sunny days, eating strawberries and ice cream. I spent lots of time in Cornwall and really hope to take the children there when we go back to visit again soon.

The pretty little house in this set, just called to me to water colour it and I wanted to use this card for a man or a women so I left the colours pretty neutral for that reason.

I wanted to keep this card as simple as possible and I thought the little sentiment was just perfect and all I needed to add to finish it off.

So many of the Sale-a-Bration goodies are selling out so don't hesitate, place an order and grab your favorites today!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo  



 
Product List 
 

By The Bay Cling Stamp Set [149739]	Watercolor Paper [122959]	Very Vanilla A4 Thick Cardstock [144238]	Soft Sea Foam Classic Stampin' Pad [147102]	Mossy Meadow Classic Stampin' Pad [147111]
Mango Melody Classic Stampin' Pad [147093]	Balmy Blue Classic Stampin' Pad [147105]	Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad [132708]	Aqua Painters [103954]	Rectangle Stitched Framelits Dies [148551]

Just Add Ink Challenge #381 - Birthday Delivery

Happy Friday people and welcome to another Just Add Ink Challenge, where this week we need to just choose two of the following things to add to you card: Embossing Paste, Colouring or Sequins.

I decided to go down the colouring road and of course adding sequins is always a given!!

I just adore this little girl in the Birthday Delivery stamp set and I kind of think she looks a little like me when I was a child. I think it's the curly hair.

I used my aqua painter to watercolour my image today and I really do think the more you practise the better you get at watercolouring and I think this might be my best one to date. It certainly made me feel like watercolouring a few more of the images in the set. The poodle has been calling my name for a while.

I hope you find some time this weekend to join in with us and get a little crafty. I know myself and the rest of the girls love seeing what you all make!!

Happy Crafting,
Chlo

Product List 
 

Birthday Delivery Photopolymer Stamp Set [143660]	Birthday Delivery Photopolymer Bundle [145294]	Watercolor Wings Photopolymer Stamp Set [139424]	Powder Pink Classic Stampin' Pad [144084]	Sweet Sugarplum Classic Stampin' Pad [141395]
So Saffron Classic Stampin' Pad [126957]	Peekaboo Peach Classic Stampin' Pad [141398]	Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad [131181]	Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad [140931]	Shimmery White A4 Card Stock [121717]
Basic Gray A4 Card Stock [121689]	Sweet Sugarplum A4 Cardstock [141423]	Linen Thread [104199]	Aqua Painters [103954]